Chapter 4: Fire Storm
"Ok let's do it." I said "Let's get married Vasili can come, but first things first," I said as I pulled out the ring from my pants pocket. I climbed off the bed and got down on one knee. "Tania Vesechy will you marry me?" She smiled "Yes, of course I will." I stood up got my uniform on as did she and signed out. "Sasha, I have a surprise for you…" I was actually surprised I never had, gotten a surprise that didn't involve pain. "but first you have to close your eyes…and let me guide you." "Ok, guide away." As I closed my eyes and let Tania guide me to my surprise. My hearing told me I was in the lobby until it got quiet. "Ok, open your eyes, babe." When I did I was grinning ear to ear. In front of me was my squad, Vasili and Doc playing cards. They were so relaxed I just had to…"Squad, Ten Hut!" Everyone snapped to attention, Vasili accidently knocking over the table that had the cards on it. Then realizing it was me everyone relaxed Vasili came over and shook my hand and gave Tania a hug, "You, taking care of him?" she showed him the ring I gave her. He turned to me and whispered "Congrats! Are you ready to lead us once and for all?" I turned around put my hat on. "Let's move out!" Everyone cheered as we left the hospital.
Sasha's POV
A few days later I sent Vasili and to others to go cover squads 14, 72, 361, 8, 84 with sniper fire. So far so good. I thought, just a routine advance, should be done in a couple of hours.
Vasili's POV
"Damn!" I cursed as I saw one of squad 8's men go down. "Maybe he passed out, sir." Said the spotter Sasha sent with me, I can't even remember his name. "If he did I wouldn't have seen his helmet fly off his head! I'm calling it in. Attention squad 8, come in Rats Nest, this is Cossack 1 to squad 8, you have a possible KIA." The radio came to life with transmissions from Rats Nest, "Rats Nest to Cossack 1! We have a KIA, repeat we have a KIA! Please advise Devil's Squad 84, Red Squad 361, Fire Squad 14, and Reaper Squad 72." "I copy, Rats Nest advising of possible enemy snipers." After thirty minutes of advising other squads I finally tried to find the sniper… nothing. Until the radio screamed to life, "Enemy contacts to the North, East, and West! (In background) 'What the fuck? Where did they all come from?' I don't know! Squad open fire!" then all hell broke loose. I watched in horror as squads 84, 8, 14, and 361 were torn to pieces by gunfire from all directions. "Retreat! This is Reaper 1 ordering everyone who is still able to retreat!" "Reaper 1, this is Cossack 1, I will cover you, get moving!" "Cossack 1? Where have-{gunfire}" then static. The sound of a man's death was gunfire and static…a man I hardly knew. "Everyone out! Let's move, now!" The spotter didn't move. I shook him, his helmet rolled off what was left of his face killed by a sniper no doubt. The other sniper was slumped against a wall torn in half by his own grenade. If I don't move I'll be next. I got up and ran to the exit until I felt pain in my stomach I looked down and wish I hadn't, the blood loss surprised me. With this much blood loss I'll be dead soon. I dropped my rifle and backpack so I had less weight. I stopped in mid limp when I heard footsteps from behind the door which was cracked open. I did the only the thing I could…pull out my sidearm a Glock 18 with a automatic feature. I switched it on, and opened fire on the door putting over 15 holes on the door and 15 everywhere else. There was a thud and a familiar voice except it was Italian. "Merda!" the voice said, it was familiar but…no she was dead. The door was torn to pieces by the battering ram.
